Voices of Reason—Benjamin Radford: The truth about psychic detectives

Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere: on TV, in the news, on cable
shows. TV hosts such as Larry King and Montel Williams regularly promote
psychic detectives, and many of them claim to find missing persons and
solve cases for police and the FBI. It all sounds impressive, but how
good is the scientific evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of
personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a
side to psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King
Live.

Radford will join a discussion with Massimo Pigliucci on the validity of psychic investigations and then take questions from the audience. The event will be followed by a reception with wine and light fare.

Admission for
the general public is $5 at the door; paid members and students free.
RSVPs are appreciated; please email nyc@centerforinquiry.net.

This event is part of our Voices
of Reason lecture series that features leading thinkers on ethics, science,
and religion.

Benjamin Radford is one of the world’s few science-based paranormal
investigators, and has done first-hand research into mysterious
phenomena in sixteen countries on four continents including psychics,
ghosts and haunted houses; exorcisms, miracles, Bigfoot, stigmata, lake
monsters, UFO sightings, reincarnation, and crop circles, and many other
topics. He is also the deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine, a Research Fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, author, board game creator, and film director.

Massimo Pigliucci is a philosopher of science at the City University of New York. He has published in national magazines such as Skeptic, Skeptical Inquirer, Philosophy Now, and The Philosopher’s Magazine among others. He has also been elected a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Pigliucci pens the “Rationally Speaking” blog (rationallyspeaking.org), hosts the podcast by the same name, and publishes the “5-minute Philosopher” videos on YouTube. Prof. Pigliucci has published 12 technical and public outreach books, most recently Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk.